Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges Two Bronx Men with Eight Armed Robberies in Bronx, Westchester, and Putnam Counties
During Three-Month Spree, Two Men Allegedly Robbed Restaurant and Seven Separate Banks at Gunpoint; One Defendant Pleads Guilty to Charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office
June 30, 2010

Southern District of New York(212) 637-2600

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and GEORGE VENIZELOS, the Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced today the filing of an Information against CARL FARRINGTON and an Indictment against KARRIEM BARROW, charging them with allegedly participating in a series of armed robberies that included seven banks and a restaurant in Bronx, Westchester and Putnam counties over a three-month period. FARRINGTON previously pled guilty to the eight charged robberies and related crimes. BARROW is expected to appear in White Plains federal court to be arraigned on the charges on July 7, 2010.

According to the Indictment filed today and the Information filed on June 16 in White Plains federal court:

In January 2010, BARROW and FARRINGTON robbed the Golden China restaurant located at 881 E. Gunhill Road in the Bronx, New York, at gunpoint. Over the next two months, BARROW and FARRINGTON committed seven robberies of banks across three New York State counties. Specifically, BARROW and FARRINGTON robbed the following banks, again at gunpoint:

The Information charges FARRINGTON with one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, one count of armed robbery, one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, seven counts of armed bank robbery, and eight counts of using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The conspiracy to commit armed robbery count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The armed robbery count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The armed bank robbery counts carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The weapons charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. In total, FARRINGTON faces a maximum sentence of eight terms of life plus 220 years' imprisonment.

On June 18, 2010, FARRINGTON pleaded guilty before United States District Judge KENNETH M. KARAS in White Plains federal court to all counts of the Information. FARRINGTON is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2011, before Judge KARAS.

The Indictment charges BARROW with one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, one count of armed robbery, one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, seven counts of armed bank robbery, and eight counts of using, carrying or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The conspiracy to commit armed robbery count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The armed robbery count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The armed bank robbery counts carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The weapons charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. In total, BARROW also faces a maximum sentence of eight terms of life plus 220 years' imprisonment.

BARROW is expected to be arraigned on the Indictment on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, before a United States Magistrate Judge.

U.S. Attorney BHARARA stated: “Earlier this year, BARROW and FARRINGTON’s alleged armed robbery spree spread fear among the residents of Bronx, Westchester, and Putnam counties. As a result of a tireless pursuit by a task force comprised of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we believe the people of the Bronx and the Hudson valley can rest a little easier.”

Acting Assistant FBI Director VENIZELOS stated, “Movie depictions of bank robbery often romanticize the crime, from ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ to ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ to ‘Public Enemies.’ But in real life, armed bank robbery terrifies employees and customers, and poses the real risk of serious injury or death. Working with our partners, the FBI continues to pay serious attention to this serious crime.”

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney DOUGLAS B. BLOOM is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and KARRIEM BARROW is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.